Breaking barriers: Uttarakhand’s landmark implementation of UCC

Uttarakhand: First, Uttarakhand will start enforcing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) on Monday, becoming the first state in independent India to enforce such a law. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said all preparations have been completed, including rule approvals and official training. The UCC aims to bring uniformity in society and equal rights and responsibilities for citizens. "UCC is just an offering made by our state in the great 'yagya' being performed by the Prime Minister to make the country a developed, organized, harmonious, and self-reliant nation," Dhami said, as quoted by PTI.

BJP's promise fulfilled

The BJP had promised to introduce the UCC during the 2022 Uttarakhand assembly elections, which struck a chord with the people and ensured the party won a historic second consecutive term in office. According to CM Dhami, this decisive mandate reflected public approval for the UCC agenda.

The journey to the UCC

The process was initiated in March 2022, when the state cabinet sanctioned the formation of an expert panel headed by retired Supreme Court Judge Ranjana Prakash Desai. For over 1.5 years, the panel met with various groups to formulate a comprehensive UCC, which it submitted in February 2024. Once the assembly passed the bill, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent in March 2024.

The State Government has further constituted the second expert panel, comprising former Chief Secretary Shatrughna Singh, to deliberate and formulate the 'Rules' for implementing the UCC. Recently, the state cabinet approved these rules, and CM Dhami declared January 27, 2025, as the date for enforcement.

Important provisions of the UCC

The Uniform Civil Code refers to the unification of laws about marriage, divorce, succession, live-in relationships, and other issues. The crucial aspects of the UCC have been provided as follows:.
Uniform grounds and procedures for divorce across all religions.
Banning polygamy and 'halala'. Mandatory registration of marriages and live-in relationships; online facilities to be provided for convenience.

Gender parity in matters of marriage, divorce, and succession

Recognition of all children as legitimate and removing the word 'illegitimate'.
The UCC also allows a special provision for defense personnel, wherein they can create "privileged wills" in flexible formats during warfare or maritime expeditions.

Core spirit-gender parity

It is a huge step forward in the path to gender equality, as the UCC makes transformative changes to the laws regarding marriage, divorce, and succession," said Doon University Vice Chancellor Surekha Dangwal, who was a member of the drafting panel. "The UCC will give equal rights under all religions to every child, making processes more streamlined and smooth."